So who knows about used Jet ski's?

MX Dad #27
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MX Dad #27
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 8:04pm
My Wife is convinced that we NEED a jet ski, I must admit I know nothing about them. We are looking to spend @ $3000, any thoughts, suggestions or ideas? Go ahead you can make me feel stupid, I already do.
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SteveS
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SteveS 3/24/2010 3:12pm
3/24/2010 3:12pm
Unless you get a stand-up, they are the devil.

Always out ruining the slalom water.
tcannon521
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tcannon521 3/24/2010 3:23pm
3/24/2010 3:23pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 9:38pm
You better buy two first of all!

Trust me, no one is happy with one Ski......

If you are looking in the 3k range you are going to be buying a older 2 stroke. Either take a set of compression gauges with you or have a tech check compression. 3% to 5% percent max difference on each cylinder as a rule of thumb.


Compression will vary anywhere from 105-135ish on average. Each boat has a different range.

The Shop

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MX479Guy
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MX479Guy 3/24/2010 3:51pm
3/24/2010 3:51pm
What would you like to know?

If your wife wants a jet ski, i'm assuming she wants a 3 seater sit down?

Kawasaki 15F is a good choice, reliable. They can be found used in the 3,000-4,000 dollar range.

Sea-Doo makes a decent unit, but I would buy a Yamaha or Kawasaki first.

Most ski's now are 4 strokes, and pretty good on fuel as well.

Honda makes a very nice jet ski, and they are all solid units.

project racer 3/24/2010 5:24pm
3/24/2010 5:24pm Edited Date/Time 3/24/2010 5:25pm
Whatever you do, DO NOT buy a Tigershark PWC. Stick with the Kawasaki or Yamaha for the two stroke models. GP1200 or 1300 is a decent couch.
MX Dad #27
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MX Dad #27 3/24/2010 5:46pm
3/24/2010 5:46pm
flarider wrote:
They are typically used
flarider thank you for your sage wisdom and your support of Katie the 3 years she was at Lorettas.
MX Dad #27
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MX Dad #27 3/24/2010 6:08pm
3/24/2010 6:08pm
SteveS wrote:
Unless you get a stand-up, they are the devil.

Always out ruining the slalom water.
We drove by your fine establishment last year when we rented jet skis.
Larry
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Larry 3/24/2010 6:15pm
3/24/2010 6:15pm
SteveS wrote:
Unless you get a stand-up, they are the devil.

Always out ruining the slalom water.
X2

SteveS
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SteveS 3/24/2010 7:25pm
3/24/2010 7:25pm Edited Date/Time 3/24/2010 7:26pm
SteveS wrote:
Unless you get a stand-up, they are the devil.

Always out ruining the slalom water.
MX Dad #27 wrote:
We drove by your fine establishment last year when we rented jet skis.
You have a kid about 16 or 17 now? I met a family from Ankeny at a race in Kahoka a few years back. And the people who have a summer home next door to me are from Ankeny.
MX Dad #27
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MX Dad #27 3/24/2010 7:45pm
3/24/2010 7:45pm
SteveS wrote:
Unless you get a stand-up, they are the devil.

Always out ruining the slalom water.
MX Dad #27 wrote:
We drove by your fine establishment last year when we rented jet skis.
SteveS wrote:
You have a kid about 16 or 17 now? I met a family from Ankeny at a race in Kahoka a few years back. And the...
You have a kid about 16 or 17 now? I met a family from Ankeny at a race in Kahoka a few years back. And the people who have a summer home next door to me are from Ankeny.
That was us Katie is 18 now.
MX479Guy
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MX479Guy 3/24/2010 7:50pm
3/24/2010 7:50pm
Yamaha GP1200 is carbed, the GP1300 is EFI

Both are good machines. They have deep gunnels and keep you from getting too soaked with water in chop. Both are 3 seaters and they come in cool white/purple or white/blue/yellow

If you buy used, find out if it's a fresh water ski, or if it was trashed in salt water.

It's pretty easy to tell if someone took good care of a ski or not by looking under the hood.

I've put over 200+ hours on a Yamaha and had no problems at all.
Pat327
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Pat327 3/24/2010 8:02pm
3/24/2010 8:02pm
Kawasaki 550 stand ups are super cheap and they're everywhere. We just got two 1990 550SX models and a trailer for $1,200. They might as well be brand new.

Cygnus
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Cygnus 3/25/2010 7:35am
3/25/2010 7:35am
Pat327 wrote:
Kawasaki 550 stand ups are super cheap and they're everywhere. We just got two 1990 550SX models and a trailer for $1,200. They might as well...
Kawasaki 550 stand ups are super cheap and they're everywhere. We just got two 1990 550SX models and a trailer for $1,200. They might as well be brand new.

Now were talking. I have an 87 550 runs like new.
Rooster
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Rooster 3/25/2010 8:05am
3/25/2010 8:05am
I know a place that still has a shit load of performance parts for those old things.
maicoman
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maicoman 3/25/2010 8:12am
3/25/2010 8:12am
Pat327 wrote:
Kawasaki 550 stand ups are super cheap and they're everywhere. We just got two 1990 550SX models and a trailer for $1,200. They might as well...
Kawasaki 550 stand ups are super cheap and they're everywhere. We just got two 1990 550SX models and a trailer for $1,200. They might as well be brand new.

Cygnus wrote:
Now were talking. I have an 87 550 runs like new.
That's a Jet Ski! Anything else is nothing but a quad on the water.

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Dirty Britches 3/25/2010 9:19am
3/25/2010 9:19am
screw the 550's!! I prefer Yamaha superjet 650 or the Kawi 750 model. Now THAT is a stand up ski. those damn 550's are squirely as can be.
The comment about getting 2 jet ski is dead on correct. If you have more than one person who actively rides, get 2. Nobody is ever happy with one. After the first season, if even that, it's boring riding alone. way more fun to have a riding partner.
I had a '92 superjet, modified to the hilt, and had the best 6 summers of my life on that thing. Biggest mistake I ever made was selling it.

over the hill 3/25/2010 9:31am
3/25/2010 9:31am
Wife is not going to want to ride a stand up jet ski. Get a nice 3-seater. Honda is clearing inventory of new 2007 F12 Aquatrax for between 5 and 5.5 K. Shop around. You are probably going to have troubles with used jet ski.
over the hill 3/25/2010 9:53am
3/25/2010 9:53am
If you do get used, watch out for turbo and super charged models. They expensive to maintain.
Dirty Britches 3/25/2010 12:05pm
3/25/2010 12:05pm
agree on used water toys. Anything that involves water, after a few years gets tore up even if taken care of nicely. Water is hard on things.

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